Backing Themselves: The Royal Hotel Drouin Story 26

Published on September 3, 2026

Backing Themselves: The Royal Hotel Drouin Story

Buying a hotel during COVID might not have looked like perfect timing. For Danny and Rachel, it became the beginning of something pretty special.

When Danny and Rachel purchased the Royal Hotel Drouin in 2021, certainty was in fairly short supply. Victoria’s hospitality industry had endured lockdowns, restrictions and constantly changing trading conditions. For anyone considering buying a pub, there were plenty of reasons to wait.

Danny and Rachel chose not to.

They could see the potential in the Royal Hotel and believed that, with the right deal and plenty of hard work, they could create something special.

A lot of people were waiting for the market to settle, but we believed if we could get the right deal together, the opportunity was too good to pass up.

Finding a way to make the deal work

The purchase itself is an important part of their story because it demonstrates that buying a business doesn’t always have to follow a standard formula.

The lease was negotiated, vendor finance formed part of the transaction and special conditions were incorporated into the contract to help structure a deal that worked in what were extraordinary circumstances.

It required flexibility and a willingness from those involved to look beyond the traditional way of doing things.

Then came settlement - and the real work began.

Were there moments when they wondered what they had taken on?

There were definitely some sleepless nights, but we always believed that if we worked hard enough, we’d get through it.

And work hard they did.

Never standing still

One of the hallmarks of Danny and Rachel’s time at the Royal Hotel has been their willingness to continually evolve the business. Rather than simply operating the pub they purchased, they have looked at what their customers want and found new ways to deliver it. The drive-through became an important part of the business, while more recently the introduction of coffee and cakes has created another reason for customers to call in.

Some ideas are big. Others are relatively simple. But together they reflect a philosophy of never becoming complacent.

We’ve never been afraid to try something different. If it benefits our customers and our community, we’re willing to give it a go.

It’s an approach that makes sense in an industry where customer expectations are constantly changing.

Hospitality is always changing. We try to look at what people want today rather than what worked ten years ago.

But innovation alone doesn't build a successful hotel. Behind the new ideas have been long hours, consistency, investment in the business and a team committed to creating a venue people genuinely want to visit.

From COVID purchase to industry recognition

Five years later, the results tell quite a story.

The Royal Hotel Drouin has received significant hospitality industry recognition, including AHA awards and finalist honours - achievements that would have been difficult to imagine when Danny and Rachel were negotiating their purchase in the uncertainty of 2021.

For them, the recognition is about more than trophies.

It was incredibly rewarding because it’s recognition for the whole team. Everyone has played a part in getting us here.

And while industry recognition is something to celebrate, perhaps an even greater achievement is what the Royal Hotel has become within its local community. It's a place where people meet for dinner, celebrate birthdays and milestones, catch up over a drink or now simply drop in for a coffee and something sweet.

Asked what makes them proudest, their answer says plenty about the way they approach the business.

The awards are fantastic, but seeing locals choose us week after week is probably what makes us proudest.

What their journey can teach future buyers

There is something particularly relevant about Danny and Rachel’s story in today's market. When economic conditions become challenging, it is natural for buyers to become cautious. Interest rates, operating costs, consumer confidence and uncertainty can all become reasons to wait for a “better” time.

But perfect conditions rarely exist. Sometimes a changing market can also create opportunities — whether that means negotiating different terms, considering vendor finance, securing a longer lease or simply recognising potential in a business that someone else has overlooked.

That doesn't mean ignoring risk. It means understanding it, doing your homework, structuring the transaction appropriately and then being prepared to put in the work.

Danny and Rachel bought during one of the most challenging periods the Australian hospitality industry had experienced. They didn't have the benefit of knowing what the following five years would bring.

They backed themselves.

Don’t wait for the perfect market because it probably doesn’t exist. Buy the right business, structure the deal properly and be prepared to put in the work.

Five years on...

If Danny and Rachel could go back to settlement day in 2021 and give themselves one piece of advice, perhaps it would be this:

Back yourself. There’ll be tough days, but there’ll be far more good ones. Keep looking forward and never stop improving.

Their story is a great reminder of what business ownership can become.

The right opportunity, a deal structured to work, some creative thinking and an enormous amount of hard work can take you a very long way.

From purchasing the Royal Hotel Drouin during COVID to building an award-recognised regional venue five years later, Danny and Rachel have created something they, their team and their community can be incredibly proud of.

From everyone at CRE Brokers, congratulations to Danny and Rachel on what you have achieved so far.

And for anyone contemplating their own business purchase, their journey offers a little inspiration:

Don't spend so long waiting for perfect conditions that you overlook the opportunity sitting in front of you.